IRVING, TX – Avian-X, the industry leader in waterfowl-hunting innovation, revealed the expansion of its motion duck decoy assortment with the addition of three new species to the popular Power Butt Kicker lineup: Mallard Hen, Pintail Drake, and Black Duck.

Engineered to replicate the precise feeding behavior of live birds, these new motion decoys feature anatomically accurate feeder-butt profiles paired with power-kicking webbed feet that generate true-to-life motion at the water’s surface. From natural ripples and wake to the unmistakable splash signatures of mallards, pintails, and black ducks actively feeding, this system delivers the micro-movements that convince high-circling flocks to commit.

Every decoy includes a lifelike feeder-butt body in the hunter’s species of choice, a high-impact power module, two power-kicking webbed feet, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with charger—everything needed to deploy realistic feeding action right out of the box. And, because the decoys are designed for maximum effectiveness, each unit offers two motion modes: Read more

We’re reaching out to gather your thoughts on the next iteration of Michigan’s hunting and outdoor mapping support tool, Mi-HUNT.

For years, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts across the state have relied on a web?based interactive mapping application that helped plan trips, explore public lands and land cover information, and locate areas open to hunting. The tool offered detailed map layers including state game and wildlife areas, federal lands, cooperating private lands, vegetation cover and topography.

As we begin development of the next-generation hunting locator tool for Michigan, we want to hear from you! Your insights will help shape a tool that’s intuitive and useful. We’re asking passionate hunters, trappers and outdoor recreationists like you to take a short survey to share how you use mapping and land?location tools — and what features you’d love to see in the future.

Your experience and input will directly influence decisions about features, usability and priorities for this resource. Whether you use mapping tools often — or only occasionally — your voice matters!

TAKE THE SURVEY ?

Jan. 20, 2026
Michigan elk hunters faced challenging weather and storm-ravaged terrain to harvest 153 elk in 2025.

A record number of applicants – 47,493 – applied for one of just 260 elk licenses that were issued through the state’s annual drawing. The elk hunt took place in the northern Lower Peninsula over two periods – one that stretched across late August and September and one in December.

“With more than 47,000 applicants for the 260 elk hunting licenses made available, Michigan elk hunting is a highly prized opportunity,” said Brent Rudolph, the deer, elk and moose management specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Read more

Stealth Cam^™, the leader in cellular trail camera technology for over two decades, announced its upgraded 3.0 series trail cameras, delivering major advancements to the brand’s core camera lineup in 2026.

Designed for serious hunters and wildlife managers, these cameras introduce a suite of advanced technologies that push surveillance capabilities to the next level, all of which are easily accessible through the Command app*.

At the core of the 3.0 series cameras, including the Deceptor™ MAX 3.0, Revolver PRO™ 3.0, and Spectre 4K Pro, is AI-powered false image detection. This breakthrough onboard system automatically filters out irrelevant motion events, ensuring hunters only get photos that matter. Supporting this capability is the addition of PIR zone selection, which lets users define exactly how and where motion should trigger a capture in the camera’s frame, dramatically improving precision and reducing unnecessary transmissions. Read more

Tomorrow, January 14, at 9:30 a.m., the Michigan Natural Resources Commission is holding a meeting at Lansing Community College, West Campus, rooms M119-121, located at 5108 Cornerstone Drive in Lansing.

This meeting will cover various subjects and issues important to Michigan sportsmen, including deer management goals, elk season results, coyote hunting and trapping season, along with a public comment opportunity, and more.

View Agenda

The Commission must hear from us – the sportsmen – because the future of our hunting and fishing traditions depends on it. These vital resources are entrusted to the Commission’s care, and if we remain silent, others will shape the outcome. Animal rights extremists are ready to fill that void and dismantle the heritage we hold dear. We cannot allow that to happen in the Great Lakes State. Our voices matter, let’s make sure they’re heard.

There has never been a more crucial time in sportsmen’s history than now to be involved and engaged in protecting our way of life. Share this email with your family and friends. Urge them to join the fight with you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance. The extremists work tirelessly to erode our rights, values, and heritage, and we must work harder to ensure they are secure today and for the future.

Read and Share Alert Online

Today, January 13, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and Secretary Doug Burgum released Secretarial Order 3447 to expand hunting and fishing access on all federally managed public lands unless lawful exceptions exist. Among other things, the order directs DOI offices to identify and remove unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers to hunting and fishing on DOI-managed lands and waters; expand access and opportunities where compatible with law, refuge purposes, park enabling statutes, reclamation area requirements, safety, and conservation needs; and improve coordination and regulatory alignment with state, tribal, and territorial wildlife agencies.

“Today’s order is a victory in the open-access battle the Sportsmen’s Alliance has been fighting for decades,” said Rob Sexton, Senior Vice President at the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “We have never wavered from our mission to shift the presumption of public lands to open for hunting and fishing, and our multiple successes across DOI’s land holdings show that. We welcome SO 3447, and we stand ready to ensure that its directives are carried out in future agency actions.” Read more

Many 400- and 500-pound bears tagged in UP

By ANDY HENION
Communications representative, Wildlife Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Bear hunters recorded another robust season in Michigan in 2025, harvesting nearly 2,000 animals and bringing home a remarkable number of large bears in the Upper Peninsula.

At the Escanaba-area check stations alone, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources registered an estimated 20 bears above 400 pounds and eight bears above 500 pounds, according to Cody Norton, the DNR’s bear, furbearer and small game specialist.

“We saw a phenomenal number of unusually large bears harvested across the Upper Peninsula,” said Norton, a Marquette-based wildlife biologist and avid bear hunter. “This is something we’ve been working toward with our long-term bear management plan – growing the total number of bears and giving hunters more opportunities to harvest large, mature animals.” Read more

Millennium Treestands, the name synonymous with continuous innovation, proudly announces the launch of its new Antler Shak Series, headlined by the Antler Shak 7 Mag and Antler Shak 30/30 ground blinds. Engineered from the ground up, this series sets a new standard with its revolutionary approach to concealment and visibility, featuring industry-first optical technology.

Built with a tough, 600D brushed shell in Mossy Oak Country Roots, each blind is designed to disappear into the landscape while providing a spacious, tactically superior shelter for the modern hunter. The series’ integrated features, from silent blackout curtains to a robust hub system, deliver the ultimate combination of undetectable concealment, unparalleled visibility, and field-tested durability.

Antler Shak 7 Mag
The Antler Shak 7 Mag stands as the premium flagship model, engineered for hunters who refuse to compromise on space, stability, or tactical advantage. Its innovative Wide Bottom design creates an exceptionally roomy 62″x62″ footprint, providing unmatched stability on uneven terrain, ample space for three hunters, and their full complement of gear. This blind dominates the sightline with nine strategically placed vertical and horizontal one way, see through windows, ensuring a panoramic, 360-degree view while you remain completely invisible. Thoughtful premium features like the exclusive 4″ exterior skirt eliminate ground-level light leaks, and the integrated ceiling storage net keeps essentials organized and within easy reach. These unmatched features make the 7 Mag a complete, self-contained ground blind built for the most demanding expeditions.

Key Specs: Read more

Wildlife Research Center® Celebrates 35 Years of Special Golden Estrus® – The Original Dated Fresh Estrus Scent

Wildlife Research Center®, the trusted name in hunting scent technology, proudly announces the 35th Anniversary of its legendary Special Golden Estrus®—the Dated Fresh Super Premium Estrus Scent that has revolutionized deer hunting for over three decades.

It was originally only available to hunting industry insiders, as a special favor until it launched to retailers 35 years ago making Special Golden Estrus® available to all hunters who demand the best. Each bottle of super premium doe urine with estrus secretions is individually labeled with a serial number and “Use By” date, so you know it’s fresh. Lab tested and certified estrogen levels of 30 pg/mL at time of collection. It’s the scent your trophy buck has been waiting for.

Available in three sizes:
1 FL OZ – MSRP $14.50
4 FL OZ – MSRP $32.87
8 FL OZ – MSRP $49.99 Read more